Salim-Sulaiman is an Indian music director duo famed for composing several popular melodies for Hindi films and creating magic through music. Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant constitute this duo. They have presented influences of Sufi, Hindustani, Folk and Western music. Over the years they have enthralled the listeners with their enchanting compositions and made the people dance to their tunes. They have redefined Hindi film music and have constantly kept up with its changing facet.
Early Life of Salim-Sulaiman
Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant are brothers who were born in the Bhuj city of the Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat to an Ismaili Muslim family. They grew up in the same city. Their father Sadruddin Merchant was their inspiration for music, who himself was a lead in the Ismaili Scouts Orchestra in India. He was also a music composer in the Telugu film industry. Music was thus their family tradition and being the sons of a veteran music director, Salim achieved expertise in piano at the Trinity College of Music in London whereas Sulaiman got trained in Tabla under the expert tutelage of Ustad Zakir Hussain and Taufiq Qureshi.
Career of Salim-Sulaiman
Salim-Sulaiman began their musical career by composing advertisement jingles. Once while working in the building where the popular Bollywood director Sanjay Gupta was working, the musical brothers were overheard by the latter. Sanjay Gupta then immediately signed them for composing and recording the theme on his 1997 flick Hameshaa starring Saif Ali Khan and Kajol. However they gained recognition as skilled music directors in 2003 with their award winning compositions in the movie Bhoot. They also earned rave reviews for their work in the movie Iqbal.
Over years they have composed music for a number of films like Fashion, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Chak De! India, Neal `n` Nikki, Kurbaan, Band Baaja Baaraat, Jodi Breakers, Kaanchi and many more. They have also composed for several Indi-pop performers like Style Bhai, Jasmine, Shweta Shetty, Aasmaan and Viva. They have worked in collaboration with noted artists such as Ustad Sultan Khan and Ustad Zakir Hussain and have been involved in the composition and production of many TV commercials. The duo worked with eminent filmmakers of Bollywood such as Karan Johar, Subhash Ghai, Ram Gopal Varma, Yash Chopra and others. They have also composed the background scores for many movies.
Apart from music direction Salim Merchant has also co-judged the fifth season of Indian Idol on Sony Entertainment Television (India). In 2012 he also voiced the song `Ishq Wala Love` for the film Student of the Year garnering critical appreciations. The song also went on to become chartbuster. Salim-Sulaiman have also contributed in the Bollywood remix for Lady Gaga`s songs Born This Way and Judas. They have composed jingles for prominent brands such as Pepsi, Raymond, Visa etc. The music of popular television shows Khatron ke Khiladi and Bigg Boss have been composed by them.
Achievements of Salim-Sulaiman
Salim-Sulaiman have been the recipient of a number of accolades for their compositions. They won Star Screen Award for Best Background Score for Bhoot and Star Screen Award for Best Background Score for Dhoom in the years 2003 and 2004 respectively. In 2005 they won IIFA Best Background Score Award for Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Zee Cine Award for Best Background Score for Ab Tak Chhappan. In 2007 they won Filmfare Best Background Score Award for the movie Krrish. In the following year, 2008, they received Best Music Director Award at Syracuse International Film Festival Awards for Fashion.
